Axis Mundi Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A IV (v3a1 IV) Raps:3+, max ↨190ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 5 min Vehicle:Passenger Watercraft:Yes | |||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 30 Oct 2022
"Stashed bike near the Josephine exit and drove back to the Condor Peak trail. Approach took 2:35 to the summit and another 0:50 on successively steepe |
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34.3031, -118.1848
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Introduction
A remote canyon in the Big Tujunga back-country. A nearly 6 mile approach hike with 2860' of elevation gain will reward the bold with spectacular views of the entire Big TJ region. This route then loses 2,250 ft of elevation, from just below Fox Peak to the Big TJ reservoir, in less than a mile. This route is situated between White Oak Canyon to the west and Fantastic Mr. Fox Canyon to the east.
Approach
Shuttle
You will need to place a shuttle vehicle at the exit to Big Tujunga Canyon Trail, which is the exit for numerous canyons in the area including Josephine Creek and Great Falls of the Fox.
Trail head
Drive east on Big Tujunga Road from Tujunga. Just past the right hand turn to Vogel Flats, on the south side of the road, there are two small gravel parking lots at 34.2875 -118.2250. This is the trail-head for the Condor Peak Trail. The trail begins across the street on the north side of Big TJ Road. Look for several 4' tall rusted metal pylons, used to stop debris flow, walk through or around them and the trail starts immediately. The elevation at the road is 2040'
Hike
Hike the Condor Peak Trail for about 2 hours, until you are just short of Fox Peak. At 34.3131 -118.1973 you will leave the trail and bushwhack a short distance to the N/NE up to the ridgeline saddle. There are several tiny and clear drainages in the area which offer a fairly painless route. Once up to the saddle, continue to the east along the ridgeline until you reach the top at 4900'. An incredible 360 degree view of the entire Big Tujunga back country rewards you for the 3 hours of effort. Continue down the other side of the summit until you get to the "point of no (easy) return", at about 34.3107 -118.1893. From this point continue down-hill along the prominent and obvious ridgeline to the south. Follow this ridgeline until it turns abruptly to the east at 34.3055 -118.1880. This point is the drop-in for the unexplored right fork (looking down canyon). Continue east along the ridgeline until it ends at 34.305715 -118.185624. This is the drop-in for the left fork, which this beta was created for. Put your harness on here and drop-in to the south. The elevation here is 3700'
Descent
From the above drop-in you will be trending down the slope to the S/SW to stay in the main part of the canyon. There are several down-climbs and generally loose rock in the upper section.
Rappel 1: 190' off a bush canyon left
Rappel 2: 30'
Rappel 3: 170' Anchored off several mid-size trees in canyon center, 15' back from the edge. This is the final rappel before the Big Tujunga Reservoir, where you will have to swim or packraft a short distance to dry ground. Be aware of restrictions for entering the reservoir (see Red Tape).
Exit
Continue upstream in Big Tujunga Creek and follow the Big Tujunga Canyon Trail back up to your shuttle vehicle, as described for Josephine Creek and Great Falls of the Fox.
Additional option: It is possible to exit this route by hiking back up-canyon from the top of the last rap to where the canyon dog-legs, at about 34.3020 -118.1827. From this point climb up (canyon left) to a broad flat bench and traverse to the E/SE, until about 34.3010 -118.1779, where you can safely down-climb to Big TJ Creek at 34.301025 -118.177192.
Red tape
The reservoir is operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, which prohibits access by the public. Use caution descending, or ascend your ropes to exit the canyon. Check the water levels in Big Tujunga Reservoir prior to any attempted descent, particularly after a storm, when water is released from the dam.
Beta sites
Scouting video:
Trip reports and media
First descent:
Trip Report:
Video
Background
First known canyoning descent by Alden Anderson & Dave Red, November 2015. Drone scouting and video by Ben Pelletier.
